Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that has gained popularity as more people learn and become interested in how Ayurvedic medicine can help improve health. Adaptogens are defined as a plant extract that "helps support the body's ability to resist the effects of daily stress and promote normal physiological functioning." Discover the benefits of Ashwagandha below.
Ashwagandha, what is it?
Ashwagandha, also known as Indian Ginseng or Withania somnifera, grows in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa as a small evergreen shrub with leaves, roots, berries, and flowers used for their medicinal properties. In Sanskrit, it translates as "smells like a horse." It's true that the aroma of its roots may remind us of this, but its meaning is believed to be more related to its effects: strengthening the mind and body.
Throughout history, the benefits of Ashwagandha have been compared to the well-known Ginseng. However, while Ginseng is stimulating, Ashwagandha, like any adaptogen, has the unique ability to strengthen without stimulating. It can be taken at bedtime as it calms the mind and supports the REM phase of sleep, while strengthening the endocrine and immune systems.
Ashwagandha, what is it used for?
Ashwagandha extract is an excellent adaptogen that helps the body restore and maintain homeostasis, a state of balance for the body as a whole, especially at the endocrine, immune, and nervous levels.
It is rich in a wide variety of very interesting compounds: alkaloids, ergostane steroids, amino acids, and neurotransmitters, which would explain its numerous medicinal properties aimed at directly or indirectly preventing and treating a range of symptoms. It has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, decrease inflammation, lower blood sugar levels, regulate blood pressure, and strengthen the immune system.
Benefits of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha's main benefit is its ability to reduce adrenal gland fatigue. When the adrenal glands function properly, a domino effect occurs throughout the body, achieving the following series of benefits:
- Reduces anxiety and decreases excess stress
- Improves female sexual response
- It reduces cholesterol and is recommended for treating dropsy.
- Reduces blood sugar levels
- Boosts immunity
- Improves thyroid function
- Help with depression
- Improves muscle strength and physical performance
Ashwagandha properties
- Antioxidant and rejuvenating properties.
- Cardiovascular properties.
- Anti-inflammatory properties.
- Aphrodisiac properties.
- Immunological properties.
- Ashwagandha increases testosterone
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Testosterone levels in women decrease with age, and we know that a reduction in this hormone is associated with female sexual dysfunction.
Studies investigating Ashwagandha extract have shown that its consumption provides very positive sexual benefits. In subjects with low levels of this hormone, consuming Ashwagandha extract has been shown to enhance the benefits of testosterone in women, as it restores normal levels, thus compensating for androgen (sex hormone) deficiency syndrome.
Ashwagandha reduces cortisol
Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal cortex and secreted in stressful situations. If the body is under chronic stress, it causes the adrenal glands to secrete more cortisol than usual.
Ashwagandha acts at the level of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, helping to balance the amount of cortisol the body produces.
Oversecretion of cortisol and other stress hormones can disrupt almost every process in your body. This hormonal imbalance increases your risk of many health problems, such as anxiety, depression, digestive problems, headaches, heart disease, sleep problems, weight gain, and impaired memory and concentration.
That's why it's so important to learn healthy ways to deal with life's stressors. Superlativa presents Electra, formulated with Ashwagandha and other ingredients that work synergistically to balance cortisol levels.
Ashwagandha improves physical performance
Ashwagandha root extract has been used for over 1,000 years in Ayurveda as a tonic, prophylactic, and restorative. Athletes have used it for many years to improve muscle strength, resistance to muscle fatigue, exercise recovery, and as an ergogenic aid. Ashwagandha helps reduce post-workout inflammation by reducing fluid retention in internal tissues.
Clinical studies show that Ashwagandha supplementation enhances strength gains and athletic (aerobic) performance. It can be useful for generalized weakness and for improving speed and muscle strength of the lower extremities.
Studies report that Ashwagandha supplementation is associated with significant increases in muscle mass and strength.
Ashwagandha, How to take it?
Dried herb for infusions.
Capsules.
Tincture.
To effectively absorb all the benefits of Ashwagandha, it's important to pair it with healthy fats to help the body assimilate its active components more effectively. You can pair your infusions or capsules with roasted or raw nuts, milk, a plant-based drink without added sugar, or olive oil.
How long does it take for Ashwagandha to take effect?
Ashwagandha can begin to have a beneficial impact on women as early as two weeks, and its effects can be enhanced if used alongside a healthy lifestyle. Our trusted product is Electra, which contains a dose of 166.66 milligrams of Ashwagandha per capsule. We recommend taking two capsules daily in the morning for the greatest positive impact on the body. Continue reading more about Electra at the following link.
Who is it recommended for?
Indicated for all those who feel exhausted and weak. It is recommended for people recovering from an illness or if you need to recharge your batteries while simultaneously supporting your immune system. If you suffer from nervous exhaustion, especially when it results from prolonged emotional stress, introduce Ashwagandha into your routine to alleviate your symptoms. If you are prone to high blood pressure, Ashwagandha will also help balance your blood pressure.
It is also used to improve thyroid function in those suffering from hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. This gland is the part of the endocrine system that controls metabolism. When it malfunctions, symptoms such as weight gain, constipation, intense fatigue, and hair loss occur.
Are there any drug interactions?
Caution should be exercised with the following medications that may interact with Ashwagandha:
- Thyroid hormones: The body naturally produces thyroid hormones. Ashwagandha may increase the amount of thyroid hormones the body produces.
- Diabetes medications: Ashwagandha may lower blood sugar levels. Medications taken by people with diabetes are used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking ashwagandha along with diabetes medications may cause a marked decrease in blood sugar levels.
- Medications for high blood pressure: Ashwagandha may lower blood pressure. Taking ashwagandha along with medications used to treat blood pressure may cause a significant decrease in blood pressure.
- Immunosuppressive drugs: Ashwagandha appears to stimulate the immune system. Taking ashwagandha along with medications that suppress the immune system may decrease the effectiveness of those medications.
- Sedative medications: Ashwagandha may cause drowsiness. Taking ashwagandha with sedative medications may cause excessive drowsiness and disrupt sleep quality.
Are there any interactions with other herbs and/or supplements?
We should be cautious when combining Ashwagandha with other herbs and supplements that may lower blood pressure. Some such herbs and supplements include andrographis, casein peptides, cat's claw, coenzyme Q-10, fish oil, L-arginine, lysine, nettle, theanine, and others.
On the other hand, it may also interact with herbs and supplements that can cause drowsiness. Some of these include 5-HTP, hemp, California poppy, catnip, hops, chijol, kava, St. John's wort, escularia, valerian, yerba mansa, and others.
Are there any interactions with food?
There are no known interactions with any food. Feel confident in eating whatever you want and, as previously mentioned, combine it with healthy fats to improve absorption. For example, you can take our Electra vegetarian capsules in the morning with nuts or a plant-based drink.
Buy To shwagandha
Electra It's a supplement to reduce cortisol levels caused by stress, boost concentration, and combat fatigue. It contains a combination of four adaptogenic herbs and vitamins. Its active ingredients work synergistically to help balance your body. These are vegetable capsules, so Electra is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
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Ashwagandha options:
The main component of Electra is Ashwagandha, and now we have a new and improved formula. We've incorporated Sensoril® Ashwagandha, a multi-patented root backed by 11 international clinical studies. This type of Ashwagandha is certified organic and contains the highest concentration of active compounds on the market. It's more bioavailable, concentrated, and potent.
Superlative Experiences:
We hope this article has helped you understand the benefits and uses of this fantastic herb and how it can play a role in improving your health. We'd love to help you learn more about your well-being. If you have any questions or nutritional concerns, feel free to contact us at our dedicated email address:
consultas@superlativabotanicals.com
Bibliographic references:
- Gupta, G.L., Rana, A.C. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha): a review. Pharmacol Rev.2007 ; 1: 129 - 136.
- Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M (2011) An overview of ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenative) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 8(S):208–213
- V.R. Ambiye, D. Langade, S. Dongre, P. Aptikar, M. Kulkarni, and A. Dongre, "Clinical evaluation of spermatogenic activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in oligospermic males: A pilot study," Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2013, Article ID 571420, 6 pages, 2013.
- Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2015 Nov 25;12:43.
- Ziegenfuss TN, Kedia AW, Sandrock JE, Raub BJ, Kerksick CM, Lopez HL. Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somniferaon Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial. Nutrients. 2018 Nov 20;10(11):1807.
- Sandhu JS, Shah B, Shenoy S, Chauhan S, Lavekar GS, Padhi MM. Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) on physical performance and cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy young adults. Int J Ayurveda Res. 2010 Jul;1(3):144-9.
